Engine.



' A. I. CULP.

ENGINE. l

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I8, I9I5.

Patented 3911.2, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A a 0.@ Qn, N0

. I. CULP.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I8. 1915.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.a ra entre@ ARTHUR J'. CULP, 0F CLNTON, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTH TO JOHN WESLEY STANFIELD, OF CLANTON, ALABAMA.

ENGINE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

rarement aan. a, reif?.

Application led December 18, 1915. Serial No. 67,6427.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. CUL?, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clanton, in the county of Chilton and btate of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichy it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in engines and resides more especially in the production of a combined rotary explosive engine and compressor connected with a tank or reservoir, the contents of which latter are used at certain periods to operate the explosive engine.

An object of this invention is to produce an explosive engine including an interconnected compressor driven by the said explosive engine and arranged to automatically deliver the compressed charge to the explosive engine for operating the same.

Another object of this invention is the production of an explosive engine including in combination a compressor driven by the said explosive engine and provided with means for automatically regulating the explosions of the engine; the delivery of the compressed charge to the explosive engine; and also the speed of the engine when operating by agency of the compressed charges.

A further object of this invention is the production of a combined explosive engine` of the rotary type and a compressor constructed of few and easily assembled parts, and designed to consume a minimum amount of fuel.

With these and other objects in View the invention further consists in the novel arrangement and combination of the several parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings which show one embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the combined explosive engine and the compressor, Fig. 2 represents a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the combined engine and compressor, Fig. 3 represents a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, through the explosive engine, Fig. 4. represents a similar view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, through the compressor, Fig. 5

represents a detail perspective view of one end of the ignition rod of the yexplosive englne, illustrating the manner in which the liquid fuel is admitted through the valve in the supply pipe at intervals, Fig. 6 represents a detail sectional view taken on the linefr-G of Fig. 1 through the lever connectlons of the regulating means, and Fig. 7 represents a fragmental perspective view of the engine'rotor removed from its casing.

Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises a rotary explosive engine operated by the explosion of the fuel against the blades of the rotating member, and a compressor consisting of a rotating fan operated by the explosive engine and arranged to compress and store air for use against the blades of the rotating member of the engine when the ignition device is not in use. A controlling mechanism automatically operates between the explosion engine and the compressor when the stored charges of the compressor have reached a certain degree of compression. When this occurs, the ignition kdevice and the fuel supply 0f the explosive engine are rendered inoperative and the compressed charges are introduced against the blades ofthe rotor of the engine. This latter operation continues until the degree of compression of the charges is reduced sufliciently to againoperate the above-mentioned controlling mechanism and put into operation the ignition and fuel supply devices of the engine.

The explosive engine 1 and the compressor 2 are preferably constructed of separable sections 3 joined together by the bolts 4 passing through the integrally formed flanges 5. Suitable mating portions 6 in the nature of tongue'and groove formations may also be provided in making the structure tight against the leakage of the compressed charges.

The explosive .engine consists of a casing 7 formed by the joined sections 3, and a revolving member or rotor 8. mounted within the casing and adapted to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. A shaft 9 supports the rotor 8 and is provided with the key 10, whereby the shaft and rotor revolve together. The shaft 9 has suitable bearings 1l formed in each side of thecasing 7, and upon one end has keyed thereto the ignition operating device 12, and to the other end a sprocket Wheel 13 and Hy or balance wheel 14. This fly wheel may also have attached to it a pulley 15, as shown.

The rotor 8 comprises a'main body portion having projecting therefrom at regular intervals blades 16. Each blade includes a radial face 17 and a working face 18 inclined with relation to a radial plane of the rotor.

In order to prevent the leakage of the charges between the rotor and the sides of the casing, rings 26 having outwardly directed arms 26a are provided upon each side of the said rotor in grooves 27. The rings 26 are forced outwardly against the sides of the casing by springs 28 arranged in openings in the rotor. The springs extend between the rings, as shown in Fig. 3.

The compressor 2 is formed by the bringing together of the separable sections, as shown, and comprises a casing 30 and fan or compressor member 31. The upper part 32 of the casing is arranged concentric to the fan, while the lower section 33 is constructed eccentric thereto. This construction is preferred in order that a greater quantity of air or gas, or both, can be carried up through the casing' and delivered through the upper section 32 to a suitable chamber or receivmg reservoir 34. An opening or slot is provided in the upper section and is uncovered by the action of the compressed charges passing through the check valve 29 covering the said opening, as will be readily understood. An opening or slot 35 is provided in the lower section 33 and communicates With a chamber 36 which in turn is in communication with the exhaust opening 37 of the explosive engine, and the opening 38 to the atmosphere. As the burnt gases are exhausted through the passageway 39 into the chamber 36 the fan forces them into the casing 30, and compresses them into the receiving reservoir A34.

Air is also drawn in by the fan through the opening 38 and compressed into the receiving reservoir, as Will be readily understood.

The'compressing fan 31 consists of a plurality of radially extending arms 40 to which are secured blades 41 of a yieldable material,

such as sheet metal or the like. The blades,V as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, include a radial'v arm-engaging portion 42, side wings 43 and a tip 44. The tips and side Wings of these blades are of spring formation and engage the tapering side Walls 45 of the lower section 33, and the periphery of the upper section 32, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. By this construction large quantities of compressible 'gases can be taken into the lower sections 33 and gradually compressedI in the course of delivery to the receiving reservoir. The frictional' contact of these sides, Wings and tips also aid in preventing any leakage of the gases Within the compressor'.

The fan is keyed to the shaft 46 which has suitable bearingsv 47 formed in each side of .and are held in contact with the sides of the casing by the springs 50, thereby preventing any leakage therethrough.

Secured to the shaft 46 is a sprocket Wheel 51 around which passes a sprocket chain 52 to the hereinbefore mentioned sprocket wheel 13 keyed to the shaft of the explosive engine, (see dotted lines in Fig. 1). A fly or balance wheel 53 is also provided on the shaft 46 for assisting the fan in revolving, as will be readily understood. A belt could be substituted for the chain 52, and passed over the fly wheels 14 and 53, or smaller pulley 15, as Will be readily understood. Various Vother forms of transmitting this motion may be employed, and I do not limit myself to the exact form herein set forth.

The controlling mechanism of the combined engine and compressor includes the ignition device for explosive engine and a j .shaft 9, and a rod 56 supported in brackets 57 and arranged to operate in conjunction with the said wheel. A cam or lug 58 depends from the rod 56and is engaged by the l teeth of the wheel 55.

When the lug 58 is engaged by the teeth of the Wheel 55 the rod 56 is moved longitudinally Within the guiding and supporting brackets. Upon one end of the rod 56 is formed a contact nose 59, which, when the rod is moved as above described,.comes into contact with another contact 60 projecting from the spark plug 61, thereby closing an electrical circuit in the usual manner and effecting an explosion for the rotation of the motor.

Adjustable cams 62' -are provided on the rod 56 and coact With suitably positioned rollers 63 carried by the casing of the engine. These cams assist in the elevation of the rod after the rod 56 has been moved and the contact made, so that the tooth of the Wheel 55 will clear the lug 58, as will be readily understood."

One end of a spring 64 is secured to the undersideof the rod 56, as shown in Fig. 1. The other end of the said spring is fastened to a stud upon the casing. The

purpose of this spring is to return the rodv 64 and anadmission valve 65, see Figs. 1

and 5. This valve is located in the pipe 64 and is operated by an arm 66 carried by the rod 56, arranged to engage a lever 67 of the valve projecting into'its lpath of travel. Upon the backward or return stroke of the rod '56, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 5, the lever 67 is operated against thc action of the closing spring 68, and the` valve is opened for a short time, thereby admitting a. supply of combustible mixture ready for explosion when the rod is moved in the reverse direction and the contacts made. The spring 68 acts to normally close the valve whenever the level' 67 is not operated by the arm 66. The liquid fuel may be fed to the valve from any suitable source of supply, not shown.

The explosion of the fuel occurs in the chamber 70 adjacent the opening 71 of the casing 7 and expends its force against one of the working faces 18 of the engine rotor, as will be readily understood. A passageway 72 is provided above the explosion chamber 70 and communicates wih the interior of the engine casing 7. This passageway leads from the receiving reservoir for the compressed charges. At the end of the passageway adjoining the reservoir a check valve 69 is provided, which prevents the return of any of the explosion in the pocket, and at the same time permits the ready flow of the compressed charges from the reservoir into the passageway 72, when the engine is to be run in that manner.

The automatic controlling mechanism for admitting the compressed charges to the engine rotor through this passageway and the cutting out of the explosions will now be described. This mechanism is preferably located upon the receiving reservoir 34, and comprises a piston 74 arranged to reciprocate vertically within a casing 75. The piston is provided with the usual rings, and has extending from the top thereof a stem or rod 76 which projects through the casing and carries at its uppermost end a roller 77. This roller operates within a slot 78 provided on one end of a lever 79, which latter is pivotally supported at 80 upon a standard 81. The other end of the lever 79 is pivotally connected at 82 to another lever 83, which latter is also pivotally supported at 84 upon a floating standard 85 normally mounted upon the receiving reservoir at 86. The outer end of the lever 83 has secured to it one end of a rod or link 87. This link is connected at its other end to the ignition rod 56, as indicated at 88. By this construction and arrangement of these several levers, it; will be seen that when movement isimparted to the piston 74 by the raising of the pressure in the receiving reservoir, the levers 79 and 83 will be rocked in turn and the link 87 lifted, thereby raising the ignition rod 56 out of engagement with the rotating toothed wheel 55, and cutting out the explosion of the engine. It will be understood that one end of the rod 56 is lifted by the link 87 and the opposite end fulcrumed upon the left hand roller 63. The movement of the piston is, however, dependent upon the pressure of the charges in the reservoir and reciprocates back and forth as the pressure therein fiuctuates.

A spring 89 is interposed between one end of the lever 79 and the casing 75 and can be relatively adjusted by the screw and nut connection 90, according to the degree of pressure at which it is desired to have tlie piston operate. Ports 91 are also provided in the casing to allow the easy movement of the piston, as will be readily understood. A further controlling means is also provided upon the reservoir and consists of a hand lever 92 pivoted at 93 to the standard 81. A hand latch 94 is provided on this lever and is adapted to engage a notch 95 in a segmental standard 96. An adjustable weight 97 is also provided on this lever, and when the lever is in the position shown in Fig. 2 serves to balance the parts carried by the other end of the lever.

These parts consist of a rod 98 to the lower end of which is secured a door or gate 99. This door is adapted to close the opening 100 leading into the passageway 72 at certain times.` The rod 98 extends through a packing box 101 and carries at its upper end a roller 102. This roller rides upon the curved end 103 of the lever 92, and permits of the vertical reciprocation of the rod 98.

In starting the engine, the hand lever is swung upwardly so that the door covers the opening 100. The parts remain in this position until sufficient pressure has been attained in the reservoir. The hand lever is then released and allowed to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, or other similar position according to the location of the weight 97.

In order to prevent speeding up, when the compressed charge is operating the engine, a governing device is provided, consisting of an adjustable arm 104 positioned on the rod 76, and adapted to engage the underside of the hand lever 92, thereby causing the said lever to rock on its pivot and lower the door 99 over the opening 100. The partial closing of the door diminishes the amount of the compressed charge admitted,

and the engine is necessarily slowed down.

eration. When a sufiicient amount of the compressed charges have beenreceived into the reservoir, the hand lever 92 is operated and the door 99 isopened.

As soon as the pressure in the receiving reservoir reaches a predetermined degree of compression, the piston moves upwardly, thereby causing the lever 79 to rock on its pivot.A This lever in turn rocks the lever 83 and When this 'occurs the link or rod 87 is elevated and the ignition rod 56 is lifted clear of the rotating tooth wheel 55, as has been hereinbefore described. The engine is noW operated by the compressed charges passing through the opening 100 and rushing against the blades in the rotor 8. It continues to so operate until the pressure within the vreservoir 34 is reduced suiiciently to allow the piston 74 to recede and thereby restore the several levers and the interconnected ignition rod in placefor the ordinary` operation through the successive explosions. {When the pressure is again raised Within the reservoir the same operation of the controlling and regulating mechanism takes lace. From this arrangement and construction it Will be obvious that a highly efficient and very economical motor is provided. It will also ybe apparent that the attention now required in running motors of this combined type is also greatly reduced. f

' Various changes and modifications may be resorted to in the construction and arrangement of the several parts as properly fall Within the scope of the present invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact design herein shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let-- ters Patent is:

1. The combination of a driven motor With a compressor driven by the said motor, a receiving reservoir for the compressed charges communicating with the driven motor and means for controlling the admission of the compressed charges to the motor including a movable piston adapted to operate a system of levers when the charges reach a predetermined degree of compression in the reservoir.

2. The combination of a driven motor with a compressor driven bythe said motor, a receiving reservoir for the compressed charges communicating With the driven motor and means for controlling the admission of the compressed charges to the motor including a movable piston connected to the driving mechanism of the motor and adapted to operate in one direction when the compressed charges reach a predetermined degree of compression, and in the opposite direction when they fall below the said predetermined degree of compression.

3. The combination of a driven motor with a compressor driven by the said motor, la receiving reservoir for the compressed .charges communicating with 'the driven motor and means for controlling the admission of the compressed charges to the motor including an adjustable pressure controlled piston interconnected with the controlling mechanism of the driven motor and adapted to operate when the charges reach a predetermined degree of compression in the reservoir. 'i

4.. The combination of a rotary explosive engine including an ignition system with a compressor driven by the said engine, a receiving reservoir for the compressedcharges communicating with the explosive engine and means for stopping the ignition mechanism of the explosive engine and admitting compressed charges to the rotating member of the said explosive engine when they reach a predetermined degree of'compression, and for again operating the ignition mechanism when the compressed charges fall below the said degree of compression.

5. The combination of a rotary explosive engine, including an ignition system, with a compressor driven by the said engine, a receiving reservoir for the compressed charges communicating With the explosive engine and means for controlling the stopping and starting of the ignition mechanism of the engine and the admission of the compressed charges including a pressure operated piston interconnected with the reservoir and the ignition mechanism of the explosive engine.

6. n engine comprising a pair of casings, a rotor mounted in one of said casings, a compressor mounted in -the other casing, means for supplying the rotor with combustible mixture, means for igniting the combustible mixture, .a reservoir connected to the compressor and to the rotor, means for conducting the exhaust from the rotor to the compressor to store the exhaust in the reservoir, and an automatic means for.feeding the compressed exhaust in the reservoir through the rotor and simultaneously cut off the ignition and the combustible mixture to the rotor. l

7. An engine comprising a pair of casings,

' a compressor mounted in one of said casings,

a reservoir connected to the compressor, a shaft journaled in the other casing, a body portion keyed to said shaft, a plurality of blades formed on the body portion to form a rotor and each blade having a radial face and a Working face, means for connecting the rotor With the compressor, means for supplying combustible mixture to the rotor, means for igniting the combustible mixture, means for conducting the exhaust from the rotor to the compressor to store the exhaust in the reservoir, and automatic means for feeding the compressed exhaust in the reservoir to the rotor and simultaneously cutting 0E the ignition and the combustible mixture to the rotor. I

lll

8. An engine comprising a pair of casings, a compressor mounted in one of the casings, a reservoir connected to the compressor, a Shaft journaled in the other casing and Connected to the compressor, a body portion keyed to said shaft, blades formed on the body portion to form a rotor, said blades having grooves in the sides thereof and transversely extending openings, rings mounted in said grooves, coil springs mounted in the openings for urging the rings in an engagement With the Walls of the casings, means for supplying combustible mixture to the rotor, means for igniting the combustible mixture, means for conducting the exhaust from the roto!` to the compressor to store the exhaust in the reservoir, and an automatic means for feeding the compressed exhaust in the reservoir to the rotor and simultaneously cutting ofi the ignition and the combustible mixture to the rotor.

9. An engine comprising a pair of casings, a rotor mounted in one of said casings, means for supplying the rotor With combustible mixture, means for igniting the combustible mixture, a shaft journaled in the other casing, a plurality of radially extending arms secured to said shaft to form a compressor, blades secured to the arms and having radial arm engaging portions and side Wings, tips formed on the blades to engage the Walls of the casing, a reservoir connected to the compressor and rotor, means for conducting the exhaust from the rotor to the compressor to be stored in the reservoir, and an automatic means for feeding the compressed exhaust in the reservoir to the rotor and!` simultaneouslyv cutt' yolf the ignition and the combustible mixture to the rotor.

10. An engine comprising a rotor, means for supplying combustible mixture to the rotor, means for igniting the combustible mixture, a compressor connected to the rotor to receive the exhaust therefrom, a reservoir connected to the compressor for storing the exhaust, said reservoir having a chamber connected to the rotor, a manually operated valve for Controlling the exhaust from the reservoir through the Chamber to the rotor, and an automatic 'means for feeding the compressed exhaust in the reservoir to the rotor and simultaneously cutting oi the ignition and the combustible mixture to the rotor.

11. An engine comprising a rotor and a compressor, means for supplying combustible mixture to the rotor, means for igniting the combustible mixture, means for connecting the compressor with the rotor to drive the compressor upon rotation of the rotor, means for conducting the exhaust from the rotor to the compressor, a reservoir conneeted to the compressor to receive the exhaust therefrom, said reservoir having a chamber in communication with the rotor, a cylinder on said reservoir, a piston in said cylinder, a lever pivoted to the reservoir and to the piston, and means for connecting the lever to the ignition means for cutting voif the ignition and combustible mixture to the rotor when the pressure of exhaust in the reservoir reaches a certain degree.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ARTHUR J. CULP.

Witnesses:

W. O. MELLINS, P. S. PRICE. 

